Monterey, CA. – Following an attempted bank robbery in downtown Monterey, the downtown area is now secured. The suspect is in custody and being interviewed by police. The suspect’s vehicle is also under investigation, in the Calle Principal Garage. Traffic from the downtown area has been diverted away from the incident area. Area businesses have been evacuated.

The Monterey County Bomb Squad is onsite and managing the situation. The bomb squad has detonated the suspicious package at Pearl and Washington; the contents are undergoing inspection.

Members of the public are being asked to stay away from the downtown area at this time.

UPDATE 3:30 pm:

The area around Washington and Pearl has been cleared and is open. The bomb squad is now at Munras and Webster, investigating a suspicious package at that location.

The cities of Marina and Seaside are providing assistance in securing the area around the Calle Principal garage.

UPDATE 3:55 pm:

A second suspicious package at Munras and Webster was detonated. This area will shortly be cleared and open.

Bomb squad is en route to Calle Principle Garage to investigate suspect’s vehicle. Franklin Street is closed at Pacific until further notice.

UPDATE 4:17 pm:

The original seven-block evacuation area is now cleared and open, except for Calle Principal and Pacific, and Munras between Tyler and Pearl.